Offense comes alive in Astros win over Angels

ANAHEIM – A surprise member of the opening day roster, righthander Brad Peacock was the first pitcher dumped out of the Astros’ rotation early this season. Chris Carter has stuck around all season, leading the team in home runs and runs batted in while trying to ignore the loud critics who whine about his record strikeout pace.

On Friday, Peacock and Carter showed why the Astros have stuck with them this year. They proved why Jeff Luhnow was so happy to acquire them in exchange for Jed Lowrie in February.

Peacock pitched 6 1/3 impressive innings, and Carter drove in a career-high five RBIs to beat the Angels 8-2 before a crowd of 39,074 on ‘80s night at Angel Stadium.

Peacock began the shuttle between Houston and Class AAA Oklahoma City in June, returning briefly to pitch out of the bullpen before heading back down. He got the call back up to the majors on Aug. 4, soon after Bud Norris was shipped to Baltimore at the non-waiver trade deadline. Now it would be ridiculous to say the Astros have missed their former No. 1 starter.

Carter is also thriving, extending his team lead to 23 home runs and 61 RBIs while Peacock makes the most out of his third stint of the season in the majors. He held the Angels to four hits and two unearned runs with two walks and five strikeout over 6 1/3 innings in the first game of the three-game series.

He has given up only six runs (four earned) over a combined 19 1/3 innings in his three starts for a 1.86 ERA since returning to the rotation this month. Jerome Williams gave up three runs on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.

The Astros are now 3-1 on their three-city, nine-game trip through Oakland, Anaheim and Arlington. They had not won three out of four games since they won four out of five games from June 12-18.

Astros right fielder L.J. Hoes led off the Astros’ three-run fifth inning with a double down the right field line. Jonathan Villar followed with a bunt single to the left side of the mound, putting runners at the corners. Robbie Grossman then hit an RBI single to right field.

After Brett Wallace grounded out to third, Williams walked Jose Altuve to load the bases. Jason Castro fouled off four two-strike pitches, including two on a 3-2 count, before drawing an RBI walk on the 10th pitch. Carter made it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Angels countered in the bottom of the fifth. Aybar led off with a single to second, reaching second on Altuve’s errant throw. He tagged over to third on Chris Nelson’s fly out to center and scored on Hank Conger’s groundout to first.

The Astros got the run back in the seventh. After Wallace led off with a double to right, he reached third when Castro hit a double play grounder to second. Carter then greeted reliever Kevin Jepsen with a bloop, RBI single to center.

The Angels countered with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. The Astros pulled away in the ninth after Carter hit a three-run home run and Matt Dominguez followed with a solo home run, marking the team’s fourth back-to-back home runs of the year.

Jesus Ortiz
Houston Chronicle
twitter/@OrtizKicks

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Aug. 18: Astros 7, Angels 5

Matt Dominguez of the Astros hits a 3-run home run against the Angels during the seventh inning.

Aug. 18: Astros 7, Angels 5

Matt Dominguez of the Astros hits a 3-run home run against the Angels during the seventh inning.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Matt Dominguez rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Angels.

Matt Dominguez rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Angels.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Matt Dominguez of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Matt Dominguez of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Marwin Gonzalez of the Astros breaks his bat while playing against the Angels.

Marwin Gonzalez of the Astros breaks his bat while playing against the Angels.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Angels outfielder Mike Trout is unable to grab a home run hit by L.J. Hoes of the Astros.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout is unable to grab a home run hit by L.J. Hoes of the Astros.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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L.J. Hoes rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Angels.

L.J. Hoes rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Angels.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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L.J. Hoes of the Astros reaches home plate after hitting a home run.

L.J. Hoes of the Astros reaches home plate after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer delivers a throw to the Angels.

Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer delivers a throw to the Angels.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer makes a throw to the angels.

Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer makes a throw to the angels.

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer delivers a throw to the Angels.

Astros pitcher Brett Oberholtzer delivers a throw to the Angels.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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Angels pitcher Jason Vargas delivers a throw to the Astros.

Angels pitcher Jason Vargas delivers a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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Angels pitcher Jason Vargas delivers a throw to the Astros.

Angels pitcher Jason Vargas delivers a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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Aug. 17: Angels 6, Astros 5 (10)

Mike Trout and Collin Cowgill of the Angels of Anaheim celebrate after both score on Mark Trumbo's two run triple.

Aug. 17: Angels 6, Astros 5 (10)

Mike Trout and Collin Cowgill of the Angels of Anaheim celebrate after both score on Mark Trumbo's two run triple.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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Dallas Keuchel throws a pitch against the Angels.

Dallas Keuchel throws a pitch against the Angels.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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Shortstop Erick Aybar of the Angels throws to first to complete a double play.

Shortstop Erick Aybar of the Angels throws to first to complete a double play.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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Second baseman Jose Altuve throws out Grant Green of the Angels.

Second baseman Jose Altuve throws out Grant Green of the Angels.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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Second baseman Jose Altuve holds up the ball after fielding a wide throw.

Second baseman Jose Altuve holds up the ball after fielding a wide throw.